India’s key aviation regulators and infrastructure bodies—the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Bureau of Civil Aviation Security (BCAS), and Airports Authority of India (AAI)—are currently facing a severe manpower crunch, raising concerns about the effective functioning and oversight of the country’s rapidly expanding aviation sector.
According to official data presented in the Lok Sabha by Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, nearly 48 per cent of the sanctioned posts at the DGCA remain unfilled. Out of 1,692 sanctioned positions, 814 are vacant, severely impacting the regulator’s ability to maintain and monitor aviation safety and operational compliance across the nation.
The BCAS, which is responsible for setting security standards and ensuring compliance at airports, is also grappling with a staff shortfall, with 37 per cent of its positions currently unfilled. A similar situation prevails at the AAI, the state-owned body that manages most of the country’s airports and air navigation infrastructure.
To mitigate the impact of the shortage, the AAI has announced plans to hire 1,098 executives in the current financial year. However, the challenge remains significant as air traffic in India continues to rebound and grow post-pandemic, placing increasing demands on regulatory and operational frameworks.
The manpower gap at these key organizations not only slows down decision-making but also threatens to hamper the pace of development and modernization in the aviation ecosystem. Industry experts have repeatedly flagged the need for faster recruitment and better resource allocation to ensure India’s aviation infrastructure keeps pace with global standards and growing domestic needs.
